Contact feeding mechanism for base-making machines.



, w. msr. CONTACT FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BASE MAKFNG MACHINES.

1 APPuc'AnoN FILED JULY 16. 1912. 1,151,273. I

Pmmedm w, 1915.

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EVILHELM JOSE, 0F BERLIN, GERMANY, AS SIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COTMPATZ'IY, A CORPORATION OI NEW YORK. l

CONTACT FEEDING MECHANISM FOR BASE-MAKING MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Fatented Aug. 24:, 2315 Application filed July 16, 1912. Serial No. 709,662.

ill/177 Irina/1 i2. 777 Ill] concern lie it known that l, lliiiin-zmi .los'r, a subject of the-King of Prussia, residing at Berlin, Germany. have invented certain new andiusel'ul lmprovements in Contact Feeding Tsiechanism for Base-ll'laking Machines, of which the following is a specification.

ill y invention relates to machines for making incandescent lamp bases of the type in which" an insulating web of or similar material holds the contacts and shell in proper relation to one another, and more gmrticularly to improvements by means of which the contacts .may be automatically placed in the molds in proper-relation to the shell before the molten glass which forms the web is introduced into the shell.

in the manufacture of incandescent lamp bases of this type the metal shell of the base I is placed in a suitable mold and one or more contacts, whicn arc afterward connected to the filament of the lamp, are placed in the bottom of the mold out of contact with the shell. Molten gl ass or other suitable insulatingr material is then poured into themold and is pressed firmly inengagcment with the shell and with the contacts. One example of a proccssand machine often used fornmnutac- Luring bases of this type shown in U. S. patent to Swan, 774,708, patented November 8th, 190%. In order that the various operations may be quickly and easily performed the molds are usually mounted on a rotatable carrier which by its rotation brings the molds one after another into position where the contacts are placed in the mold in proper relation to the shell, then into position where the molten glass is introduced, and then into the position where "he glass is pressed alifltilust the shell and the contacts.

it has been customary to place the metal shell and the contacts in the mold by hand, alter whichthe rotatable holder carries the mold into proper position for the succeeding operations. The shell can be placed in the mold very quickly, but to place the contacts in proper position requires considerable skill and time, particularly in the case ofthe' Swan type of base, inwhich two elliptical contacts must he placed side by side'in the bottom of the mold out of contact with each other and also out of contact with the shell. in the Edison type of base the screw. threaded shell forms one contact or terminah but a circular center contact must be placed in the bottom of the mold substantially concentric with the shell. [To place the contacts in the mold by hand requires so much more time than is required for the other operations that the output of the machine is limited by the speed'with which the contacts can be placedin the mold. The time during which the mold is stationary in one position,

is too short to enable the operator to insert the contacts in a mold, therefore an eight mold machine, for example, is so arranged that only four molds are in action at any one time, the other four being idle in order that the operator may have time enough to place the contacts.

The object of my invention is to provide means by which the cont-acts may be automatically placed in the mold in proper relation to the shell; which operates so rapidly that the placing of the contacts in the mold requires no more time than any (if the other operations to which the mold is subjected, so-that a single stop of the mold is sufficient for the insertion ofthe contacts; which in creases the eiliciency and output "of the machine; in Which the supply of contactsto the machine can easily be maintained; and which is in many particulars hereinafter 'pointed out an improvement upon'base making machine.

, In accordance with my invention 1 automatically feed the contacts from a suit able hopper into the mold where they are held in. proper position during the pouring in of the molten glass and the pressingof the glass into shape. In the preferred construction the hopper for the contacts is made in the form of a tube mounted to bring its lower end into registry with each mold as the molds pass, one after the other, beneaththe lower end of the tube, each one stopping in alinement with the tube to re- 'ceive a contact from the tube. The contacts are perforated and are stacked or placed loosely one on top of the other in the tubes; By any suitable means the bottom contact of each row is automatically placed in the particular mold which is then in alincmcnt with the tube. I prefe r to use a construction in which, as each comes under the tube containing the contacts. the bottom contact is autoinatically engaged by .-a pin which projects from the bottom of the mold and which positions the coTi-act. The bottom contact is then swepheugewise' out of the tube by the movement of the mold toward the next position.

My invention will best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawing, which merely i'or purposes of illustration shows one of the numereus, forms in which my invention may be embodied and in whichh v Figure 1 shows a hopper for the contacts in elevation with a part of the'movable mold in section; Fig. is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line 3*-,3 of Fig. 1 looking down and showing a section of a hopper adapted to hold Swan contacts; Fig. 4 is a similar section of a hopper 'adapted to hold Edison center contacts;

Fig. 5 is a section taken at right angles tothe plane of Fig. 1 through the moldand hopper and showing the position of the parts as the mold comes to rest beneath the hopper; Fig. 6 is a similar viewshowing the bottom of the mold raised into position to engage the lowermost contact; Fig. is a similar view as the mold begins to move to the next position, carrying the lowermost contact with it; and Fig. 8 is a View in perspective of part of the hoppershown in Fig. 1 with some of the Swancontacts in the hopper projecting above the line on which the hopper is broken away in order,

to show the position of the contacts in the hopper.

As is customary in machines of this kind,- the molds are mounted upon the periphery of a rotatable mold holder 1. Each mold is formed of a ring 2 secured to the mold holder and a matrix or movable bottom 3 which is movable vertically in the ring 2.

The metal shell of the base is placed in the ring2 with its lower edge on the matrix 3. The contacts must be placed and .held in position on the matrix 3 out of contact with the shell, before the molten glass is poured into the shell. In accordance with my invention the matrix 3 is provided with contact holding means, such as a pin 4 projecting upward from the matrix and serving to hold the contact which is withdrawn from the hopper and then placed in the mold. As the particular form of matrix illustrated in..-the drawings is designed to be used in the making of Swan bases the matrix 3 is provided with two pins 4 which arev small enough to pass through the perfo rations in the contacts. These pins insure that the contacts will I be properly positioned on the matrix and also ma'ke openings through the glass web for the leading in wires, which, extend from the ends of the lamp filament through the holes in the two contacts when the baseis cemented to the lamp bulb. i At the point in'the path of the mold holder where the contacts' are to be placed in the mold I mount a hopper which contains the contacts and which is arran edto deliver the contacts to the mold. he

form of hopper which I prefer is a tube 5. .which, in the particular form shown in the figures, is provided with a longitudipal partition 6 so shaped as to leave two elliptically shaped passages somewhat larger than the elliptical contacts used in Swan 7 .end of the tube 5 and pass loosely through the holes in the middle of the contacts, so that the contacts are loosely, strung upon the needles 8. The bottom of the tube is partly closed by a plate 9 provided with recesses 10 in alinement with the needles 8 and therefore in alinement with the openings in the middle. of the contacts. Theserecesses 10 are smaller than the contacts and consequently the bottom 9 prevents'the contacts from falling out 'ofthe tube.

In order that the bottom contacts may be automatically delivered in proper position the tube is' placed upon "the pin 4:, and then drawn .out of the tube. As best shown in Figs. 5 and6, the tube 5 has a cut away, .portion 11 opposite the bottom 9. The cut away portion 11 and the recesses 10 form at the bottom of the hopper an opening which permitsthe pin 4 to enter the hopper and to pass out through the cut away portion 11.

Although the contacts cannot drop out of.

the tube the lowermost one can be carried edgewise out of; the tube through the cut away portion 11, ina direction at right angles to' the axis of the tube. The'mold holder 1 is carried around step by step by any of the well known mechanisms used for securing a step by step movement.

When

the mold is stationary and in alinement with the tube 5,- as shown in Fig. 5, the matrix 3 of the mold is lifted into the position shown in Fig. 6; To lift the matrix 3 I prefer to 'use a cam, or similar suitable mechanism,

which operates in syiichi'oiiism with the mold holder. I may for example use a vertically movable cam block 3, which is normally in the dotted line position shown in Fig. 7, but is raiscdinto the full line posi- I ward the next position, and as a result the matrix 3 is maintained in its elevated position during its movement from the position shown in Fig. 6 to the position. shown secured to the machine adjacent the position in which the contacts are placed in the mold. This star shaped holder 16 is provided at top and bottom with cross arms bored out to in Fi 7 and sweeps the contact out of the receive the tubes 5 which may be set down 7r holder. After the mold holder has moved from above into the cross arms. After a far enough to carry the matrix 3 slightly tube is emptied the holder 16 need be 1'0- beyond the position shown in Fig. 7, the tated only one quarter of a revolution to matrix runs off the end of the cam block 3 bring a filled tube into alinement with the 0 whereupon the Cam 3 is turned a halfrevomold. To facilitate the rotation of the '75 lution and permits the cam block 3 to se holder and to insure that it will stop in tle down into the dotted line position ready proper position I provide the bottom of the to repeat the operation when the next mold holder with a notched ring 18 which coiip- 2 comes into alinement with the hopper. crates with the spring pressed catch 19.

v 1.5 The proper movements are imparted to the When the holder is to be shifted the catch 80 cam 3 by suitable gearing connecting it l9is withdrawnand theholder rotated until with the driving mechanism of the mold the next notch 18 comes into alinement with holder 1. As the matrix 3 rises the pins 4- the catch: pass upward through the recesses 10 in the An empty tube may easily be lifted upbottom 9 of'the tube 5 and enter the perfoward out of the holder 16 and replaced by a 85 rations in the bottom contacts 12in each of filled tube, which is inserted in such a manthe two rows of contacts 13 in the tube 5. ner that the cut away portion 11 ot' the tube The mechanism holds the matrix 3 in the is in the proper direction when thetubc is elevated position of Fig. 6 as the mold be in alinement with the mold to permit the 5 gins to move toward the left, as shown in onward movement of the mold to sweep the 90 Fig. 7. This movement of the mold toward bottom contact out of the tube through the its next positioncaiises the lowermost concut a way portion.

I taets 12, which are penetrated by the pins My invention may be embodied in many 4, to be swept out of the tube edgewise other forms than that described and l therethrough the cut away portion 11. As the fore do not limit my inveuiion to the prea5 mold moves toward the next position the ClS arrangement disclosed except in so far two contacts 12 are carried along by the as it is limited by the scope of the annexed pins 4 and are held inproper p(.-'=ition upon claims. the bottom 3, as shown in Fig. By the What i claim as new and desire to secure time the mold reachesthe next position the by Letters Patent of the Uniteo States, 100

mechanism has dropped the matrix or bot- A machine for making lamp bases comtom 3 back to the proper position for the prising a base mold having, a pin projecting subsequent operations ofpouring the molten from the bottom, said mold being mounted glass into the mold and pressing it into to move in a direction at right angles to said in shape. The contacts won the matrix 3 are pin, a. contact holder for holding a perfo- 105 held in l'HOPPI position by the pins '4- durrated contact with its perforation in position ing' these sul'isequent operations. to register with the pin on the bottom of Vhcn Edison sockets are tobe made the said mold and having! an opening in alinebottom of the tube 5 is modified as shown ment with the edge of said contact through in Fig. t to correspond to the circular center which said contact can be swept edgewise 110 contacts used in the Edison sockets. in this out of said holder. and actuating: mechanism case the bottom'llis provided with a cenfor producing relative movement of said pin tral recess 15 which is in alinement with and aid holder lengthwise of said pin to the perforation at the center of the disk thread said contact upon said pin and to contact of the Edison socket. In this case then move said mold in a direction at right L15 the cap 7 is providcd with only one needle 'ai'iglcs to said pin to sweep said contactn which extends down the center of the tube through the opening in said holder while in :dinement with the recess 15. -'lhc matrix threaded on said pin.

I) of the-mold "provided with nly one 2. A'rmwhine tormaltinglauui bases coin pin 4 which is mounted in the center of the prising a horizontaily movable base mold 12 matrix so as to position the contact conccnhaving a pin projecting upwardly from the trio. with the/shell oi the base. As in case bottom thereof, a contact holder for holding oi the Swan contacts the matrix 3 is autoa. perforated contact above said mold in maiically raised until the pin 4 penetrates position to bring the perforation in said the center contact at the bottom oi the tube, contact in register with the pin on the botand then the center contact i. swept out of tom oi' said mold. said holder having a horithe tube by ilw. onward motion of the mold. zonta i opening through which the contact in order tdfacilitate replacing an empty can move edgzewise out of said holder. and tube with a full one I employ a star shaped actuating .niech'anism'ior producing relative e5 holder ltf rotatablymounted upon a rod 17 vertical movement between s-Iiid p'n and said 139 into alinement with said hopper, then toward said hopper to cause said pin to engage a contact in said hopper, and then continue its horizontal movement to withdrawsaid contact edgewise from said hopper.

4. A base making machine comprising a vertical hopper for perforated contacts constructed to hold contacts in a row one -on top of the other and to discharge a contact in a direction perpendicular to the axis of said hopper, andfa mold having. vertically projecting pins for preventing longitudinal displacement of the contact in said mold, and actuating mechanism for causing said pin and said hopper to first move toward each other along the axis of said mold to bring said pin into the perforation in a contact and then relatively to each other in a direction at right angles to the .axis of said hopper to withdraw the contact from said hopper.

5. A base making machine comprising a base mold provided with contact positioning means for preventing displacement of the contacts transversely -of the axis of said mold. and a hopper for said contacts constructed to permit said'contact positioning means to enter said hopper and engage a contact therein, actuating mechanism for causing said contactpositioning means and saidhopper to move relatively to each other to first cause said contact positioning means to engage with the contact and then to move transversely out of the axis of said mold and thereby withdraw the contact from said hop- P8P.

(3. A base making machine comprising a vertical tubular hopper for perforated contacts for holding the contacts in a row with their perforations in 'alinement, said hopper being cut away at the bottom to provide an opening for uncovering the edge and the perforation of the lowermost contact, a cover for said hopper. a needle mounted on said (over to extend downward through the perforations of said contacts to leave only a predetermined number of the lowermost; contacts free to be withdrawn through said opening, and a horizontally movable base mold having a vertically movable bottom with a pin for engaging the perforation in the lowermost contact, means for moving said mold past the bottom of said hopper, and means for moving the bottom of said mold to automatically lift said pin into the perforation in the lowermost contact in said hopper during the longitudinal movement of said mold whereby further movement of the mold automatically withdraws the lowermost contact edgewise from the hopper.

7. A base maklng machine comprising a hopper for containing a plurality of perforated contacts arranged in a row one above the other, saidhopper being provided with an opening which permits edgewise withdrawal of the lowermost contact and ex poses the perforation in said lowermost contact, a movable base mold having a pin projecting from the bottom to fit lo'oselyin.

the perforation in said contacts, said hopper and said pinbeing relatively movabletoward each other to automatically bring said pin 'into the perforation in the lowermost contact, actuating mechanism for moving said pin into operative relation to said lowermost contact and then moving said mold perpendicularly to the axis of said row of contacts to sweep the lowermost contact from said hopper by means of said pin.

8. A base making machine comprising ahopper for holding perforated contacts in a row one above the other, one side of said hopper being cut away at the bottom to provide an opening which permits the withdrawal of the lowermost contact at an angle to the axis of said contacts and the bottom of said hopper having a recesswhich extends beyond the middle of the lowermost contact to expose the perforation in said contact, a mold provided with a pin for entering the perforation in the lowermost contact, and means. for moving said mold toaxis of said row of contacts to bring said "pin' into the perforation'in the lowermost contact and then moving said mold at an angle to the axis of said row to automatically withdraw the lowermost contact from said hopper.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 22 J une', 1912. WILHELM 'JO ST.

Witnesses:

HANsGALEN, Dr. KARL NEY. 

